Rail-to-tie fastener

ABSTRACT

A SPRING-TYPE RAIL FASTENER WHICH INCLUDES A RIGID INTEGRAL TENSION ELEMENT INSERTABLE THROUGH A VERTICAL OPENING IN A TIE TO FLEX A COMPRESSION ELEMENT BEARING ON THE ONE HAND UPON A RAIL BASE AND ON THE OTHER HAND UPON THE TIE. A LOCKING BAR ON THE TENSION ELEMENT COOPERATES WITH THE TIE OPENING TO   PERMIT A RAPID TWIST-TO-LOCK ASSEMBLY OF THE FASTENER COMPONENTS.

United States Patent Inventor John S. Newton Glen Ellyn, Ill. Appl. No. 818,729 Filed Apr. 23, 1969 Patented June 28, 1971 Assignee Portec, Inc.

Chicago, Ill.

RAIL-TO-TIE FASTENER 9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 238/349, 238/283, 238/375 Int. Cl E0lb 9/30 Field of Search 238/349, 367, 370, 287, 283, 342, 375

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,282,506 11/1966 Holstein 238/349 3,429,505 2/1969 Newton 238/349 938,218 10/1909 Crowson 238/342 Primary ExaminerArthur L. LaPoint Assistant ExaminerRichard A. Bertsch Altorneys- Emory L. Groff and Emory L. Groff, Jr.

ABSTRACT: A spring-type rail fastener which includes a rigid integral tension element insertable through a vertical opening in a tie to flex a compression element bearing on the one hand upon a rail base and on the other hand upon the tie A locking bar on the tension element cooperates with the tie opening to permit a rapid twist-to-lock assembly of the fastener components.

PATENTEU Ju nza I97! fjvmz'ae JOHN S. NEWTON BY W4. ATT E) RAIbTO-TIE FASTENER This invention relates generally to an improved railway appliance, and more particularly to a unique railway fastener assembly for securing the rails to ties which may be made of wood, concrete or plastic material. Ideally, such fasteners should prevent lateral as well as longitudinal shifting of the rail relative to the cross tie and also should absorb wave motion appearing as a vertical movement of the rail above the tie in order to minimize pumping of the ties in the supporting ballast.

Many prior known rail-to-tie fastener arrangements have been produced in an effort to meet the above demands; however many of these comprise intricately formed clip elements which require extremely heavy and expensive forming apparatus for their manufacture as opposed to the present fastener assembly which includes only two metal components, namely a longitudinal tension element and a spring compression component preferably comprising a simple Belleville washer. I

Accordingly, one of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a unique rail-to-tie fastener for exerting a substantially constant force on a rail flange in order to permit a predetermined uniform maximum deflection without lifting of the tie and which will not only hold the rails to the proper gauge but will also deter longitudinal displacement of the rail and thereby complement the function of rail anchors.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a resilient or spring type of rail fastener comprising two primary components, that is, a longitudinal tension element and a spring washer which is placed under compression by the tension element to provide equal pressure bearing upon diametrically opposed points on the top surface of the rail flange and the top surface of the tie.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved raiI-to-tie fastener including a Belleville washer which is placed under compression by means of a tension element having integral means thereon permitting rapid installation and attachment through a crosstie.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an insulated rail fastener assembly including a compression member retained by a tension element having a rail gauge control block supported thereby.

With these and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an assembled vertical cross-sectional view of the present invention and illustrates in broken lines the position of the two principal components as they appear prior to final installation.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the cylindrical spring washer of the present invention.'

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tension element of thev present invention.

FIG, 5 is a top plan view ofa rail guage control block of the present invention.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing, particularly FIG. I, the present invention will be seen to comprise a pair of principal components, namely, a compression member or spring steel washer W and a longitudinal tension element I which are anchored with respect to a crosstie T adapted to support a rail R. The crosstie T may be formed of any suitable substance, it being understood that the concrete tie as shown in the drawing is merely one example of the type of crosstie that may be utilized. The upper surface of the tie T includes a transverse and planar rail seating platform 2 upon which is disposed the base flange 3 of a rail R. An insulating pad P of suitable dielectric composition may be positioned upon the rail seating platform 2 and preferably terminates at a point short of the vertically disposed shoulder 4 of the rail base flange 3 for reasons which will be understood hereinafter.

The washer W will be seen to serve as the compression element of the present invention and provides a holddown function when placed under compression by means of the tension element 1 which includes a longitudinal shank comprising a lower shank portion 5 adjacent an upper shank portion 6 which latter portion is of substantially greater diameter. The top of the tension element 1 terminates in an enlarged head 7. This head 7 is illustrated with a hexagonal periphery, but it will be understood that this member may be provided with any suitable configuration which will permit rotation of the'tension element 1 during installation and removal of the present invention as will be described hereinafter. The oppositefi'distal portion of the tension element 1 is provided with a transverse locking bar 8 having a pair of diametrically disposed arms 9-9 each of which includes an upper surface 10 inclined upwardly from their juncture with the lower shank portion 5. v

In order to properly accept the installation of the tension element 1, the tie T must be provided with specified formations comprising a transverse slot 11 vertically disposed through the medial portion of the tie T, the cross-sectional configuration of which must be no less than the corresponding dimensions of the locking bar 8 on the lower portion of the tension element 1. The transverse slot 11 is bounded at its lower portion by a bottom opening 12 comprising a cylindrical bore, the diameter of which is no less than the lateral extent of the locking bar 8 of the tension element 1. As sown most' clearly in FIG. 1, the upper limit of the bore 12 preferably comprises av downwardly facing retaining wall 13 which presents a surface inclined upwardly and radially from the central vertical axis of the transverse slot 11 the inclination of which may correspond to that of the surfaces l0-l0 of the bar 8. With further reference to this retaining wall 13 it will be seen from the bottom view of FIG. 2 that a plurality of radial grooves 14 are provided in this wall 13. The upper limit of the transverse slot 11 is bounded by a top opening 15 extending upwardly through the rail seating platform 2 in the upper surface of the tie T and this opening 15 will be seen to comprise a bore formed with a diameter permitting a sliding fit with the periphery of the upper shank portion of the tension element 1. To permit passage of the locking bar 8 the wall of the opening 15 may be provided with radial slots (not shown).

With the foregoing described elements in mind, the installation and removal of the tension element 1 and compression element W may now be described. With a rail base flange 3 positioned as in FIG. 1 as assembly of the tension element 1 and compression element W is lowered through the openings formed in the tie T with the locking bar 8 initially passing downwardly through the top opening 15 and thence through the transverse slot I1 and towards the bottom opening 12. When in its normal at rest position it will be understood that the compression element W which comprises a concave/convex cylindrical washer of spring steel, commonly referred to as a Belleville washer, is in the bowed, unflexed condition as sug-' gested by the broken lines in FIG. 1. In such an untensioned condition it will be evident that the opposite or diametrically opposed points on the bowed washer W initially will engage respectively the upper surface 16 of the rail base flange 3 and the upper field surface 17 of the tie T at a point while the locking bar 8 of the tension element 1 is still within the lower portion of the transverse slot 11 through the tie T. This location of the locking bar 8 is indicated in FIG. 1 by the dotted lines 18 located above the lower limit of the transverse slot 11 and it will be understood that the fastener components may assume this position merely by gravity since tension has not yet been placed upon the Belleville washer or compression element W. When a positive downward force is then applied to the head 7 of the tension element 1 it will be seen that the Belleville washer W will be placed under compression and changed from the substantially bowed dotted line position of FIG. 1 to the full line position thereof. During this downward movement it is necessary to apply sufficient pressure to the tension element 1 in order to move the locking bar 8 thereof entirely within the confines of the bottom opening 12 in the tie T to permit the upper surfaces -10 thereof to clear the downwardly facing retaining wall 13 forming the upper limit of the bottom opening 12. The assembly is locked into the compressed condition by rotating the tension element 1 in either direction, preferably a full 90 in order to rotate the locking bar 8 into the position as shown in the bottom view of FIG. 2.

In order to preclude the possibility of overextending the downward pressure upon the head 7 of the tension element it will be seen that the stop shoulder 19 comprising the bottom of the upper shank portions 6 will abut the bottom wall 15a of the top opening 15 within the tie, thereby serving to limit the downward displacement of the tension element 1 during installation. Considering that sufficient downward pressure is exerted upon the head 7 of the tension element to abut the stop shoulder 19 against the bottom wall 150 it will be seen that after rotation of the tension element 90 and release of all downward pressure upon the tension element, that the inherent compressive force within the Belleville washer W will return the tension element upwardly a slight amount to the full line position of FIG. 1, whereupon the upper surfaces 10-10 of the locking bar 8 will engage the radial grooves 14 formed in the downwardly facing retaining wall 13 of the tie T and serve to preclude any radial displacement of the tension ele ment 1 which may otherwise be induced by vibrations set up during subsequent rail travel.

Quite obviously, in the installed position of FIG. 1 the upper field tie surface 17 should be formed in the area of its contact with the periphery of the washer W at a level equal to the corresponding point of contact of the diametrically oppositc periphery of the washer W with the upper surface 16 of the rail base flange 3 so that equal compressive forces will be directed to the tie surface 17 and rail flange surface 16 by the Belleville washer,

In order to provide an insulated rail to tie fastener assembly it will be seen that the entire periphery of the washer 11 is covered with insulation 20 which may be of any suitable dielectric composition.

The foregoing description will explain the manner of providing a compressive force extending downwardly upon the rail base flange 3 in order to limit both vertical wave motion and longitudinal displacement of the rail R. Means are also provided to insure maintenance of the proper gauge for the rail and comprises a gauge control block 21 which may be formed of any suitable tough plastic or other insulating composition. The gauge control block 21, shown most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 5, includes a key opening 22 extending vertically through the medial portion thereof comprising the central bore 23 and a pair of diametrically opposed radial slots 24 which are arranged to permit free passage of the locking bar 8 of the tension element 1 while the central bore 23 provides a close sliding fit with the upper shank portion 6 of the tension element 1. A gauge wall 25 forms the inner surface of the block 21 while the opposite surface comprises a vertical outer wall 26. A lateral tongue 27 extends outwardly from the bottom of the block below the gauge wall 25 and is of a vertical thickness comparable to that of the insulation pad P as shown in FIG. 1. In this FIG., the relationship of the gauge control block 21 to the other components when the rail-to-tie fastener assembly is fully installed will also be seen. At this time the gauge wall 25 of the block abuts the shoulder 4 of the rail base flange 3 to specify the proper guage for the rail R. Any outward displacement of the rail is resisted since the upper shank portion 6 of the tension element 1 serves to lock the gauge control block 21 into a fixed position.

Viewing FIG. 3, it will be seen that the center portion of the Belleville washer W is also provided with a key opening 28 comprising a central bore 29 permitting passage of the upper shank portion 6 of the tension element. and a pair of diametrically opposed radial slots 30-30 permitting free passage of the arms 9-9 of the locking bar 8 of the tension element.

I claim:

1. A railway fastener assembly for anchoring a rail base flange upon the top of a crosstie comprising, a unitary longitudinal tension element removably insertable through a vertical passage in said crosstie adjacent said rail base flange, said crosstie having an upper field surface providing a point of contact corresponding in elevation to a similar point of contact on the upper surface of said rail base flange, a symmetrical compression element provided with a central bore and having diametrically opposed edge portions overlying and engaging said crosstie upper field surface and rail base flange at said points of contact, said compression element comprising a unitary and resiliently displaceabie member assuming in its unflexed condition a concave/convex I27 configuration, head means integral with the upper portion of said tension element engageable with the top of the central portion of said compression element juxtaposed said bore, and locking means on the lower portion of said tension element initially insertable through said compression element bore and thence through said crosstie passage and engageable with said crosstie when said compression element is flexed upon downward displacement of said tension element, and said compression element bore including means allowing passage therethrough of said locking means but not said head means, whereby said tension element maintains said compression element opposed edge portions under equal yieldable compressive force in engagement with said crosstie upper field surface and said rail base flange upper surface.

2. A rail fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said locking means includes a locking bar at the lower end of said tension element and said tie opening is provided with a downwardly facing retaining wall engageable therewith.

3. A rail fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said tension element includes an upper shank and a lower shank, said lower shank of lesser diameter than said upper shank, said tension element upper portion means comprising an enlarged head and said locking means disposed at the distal end ofsaid tension element.

4. A rail fastener assembly according to claim 2, wherein said tie vertical passage includes top and bottom opening joined by a slot permitting passage of said locking bar therethrough, whereby after flexing of said compression element said tension element may be rotated to position said locking bar opposite said retaining wall.

5. A rail fastener assembly according to claim 3, wherein said tie vertical passage includes top and bottom openings joined by a slot permitting passage of said locking bar therethrough, whereby after flexing of said compression element said tension element may be rotated to position said locking bar opposite said retaining wall.

6. A rail fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said compression element comprises a Belleville washer.

7. A railway fastener assembly for anchoring a rail base flange upon the top of a crosstie comprising, a longitudinal tension element removably insertable through a vertical passage in said crosstie adjacent said rail base flange, said crosstie having an upper field surface providing a point of contact corresponding in elevation to a similar point of contact on the upper surface of said rail base flange, a symmetrical compression element having diametrically opposed edge portions overlying said crosstie upper field surface and rail base flange at said points of contact, means on the upper portion of said tension element engageable with the central portion of said compression element, locking means on said tension element insertable through said crosstie passage and engageable with said crosstie when said compression element is flexed upon downward displacement of said tension element, and a gauge control block surrounding said tension element and disposed upon the top of said crosstie beneath said compression element, said block provided with a gauge wall abutting the edge of said rail base flange, whereby said tension element maintains said compression element opposed edge portions under equal compressive force against said crosstie upper field sur face and said rail base flange upper surface.

8. A rail fastener assembly according to claim 7, including an insulation pad between said rail base flange and crosstic,

said block comprising a dielectric composition and said portions of said compression element overlying said rail base flange and upper tie surface provided with an insulating coat while precluding passage of said means on the upper portion of said tension element 

